Malaria bigger threat to CRPF than Naxals; medicines rushed to sites

Greater Noida: Bracing to tackle the deadly Malarial parasite which has claimed the lives of a number of CRPF jawans, the force has begun dispatching
consignments of medicines and repellents to its troops deployed for anti-Naxal operations in various states.

The force will also send an additional batch of doctors to the locations of the force who will raise awareness amongst the troops on the preventive measures to be taken against the deadly parasite disease.

Malaria has claimed several CRPF jawans.

"Extra medicines, extra doctors and additional logistics required to keep our personnel and officers safe from Malaria are being sent before the onset of monsoon," CRPF Director General K Vijay Kumar said.

The central paramilitary has also issued tenders to procure mosquito nets, repellents, ointments, fogging machines and medicines like mefloquine for its various units, many of which are deployed deep inside jungles and in inhospitable regions.

During an operation last year in Jharkhand's Saranda forests, more than 100 troops of the force had contracted Malaria during their stay in the forests, while one commando of the CoBRA battalion succumbed to the disease.

The CRPF chief said senior officials of his force have also got in touch with the medical and health care team of another paramilitary-- BSF in order to gain vital inputs on combating vector-borne diseases like Malaria.

CRPF has deployed more than 80,000 personnel for anti-Naxal operations in various states.